Afghan students at the unveiling of the photo storybook, A Journey from Kabul to Bishkek (Bishkek, March 30, 2022). Courtesy American University of Central Asia
As rising authoritarianism threatens democracies and liberal education worldwide, networks like the
Open Society University Network (OSUN) become all the more necessary, writes Jonathan Becker, Bard’s vice president for academic affairs and vice chancellor of OSUN, for
Liberal Education. A founding member of OSUN, Bard has brought 25 years of experience in global engagement with the liberal arts and sciences—experiences that Becker says “taught us lessons in resilience and lasting impact.” Building on Bard’s history of supporting refugees dating back to 1956, its participation in OSUN is another hallmark of its commitment to civically grounded education. Now, with Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, and especially students, in need of safety and support, Bard and OSUN are engaged in a “mosaic of efforts,” protecting democratic values, helping students to thrive, and sharing resources for the common good.
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Post Date: 04-19-2022
